Gerald Stratford has gained fame and followers for growing massive backyard vegetables.

What do meter-long carrots, 5-pound tomatoes and 100-pound zucchinis have in common? Gerald Stratford, the “King of Big Veg.”

Stratford, a 77-year-old home gardener in Oxfordshire, England, already had a full life — as a butcher, Thames River bargeman, father and grandfather — when he began sharing photos of his massive vegetables on Instagram and Twitter in 2020. 

The eye-popping edibles rocketed him to internet fame, even landed him a book deal. Not only does Stratford share photos of his harvests with his quarter-million followers, he provides gardening tips and has inspired vegetable-related fashion. In 2022, the fashion house Alexander McQueen commissioned a purple cabbage-inspired fleece jacket for him, which Stratford wears in his videos; it quickly sold out.

But fame is only one benefit of pursuing his passion. Gardening keeps him grounded and engaged: “Don’t get bogged down with preconceived ideas,” he advises in his GrandPeople video. “An active body is an active mind.”

After some five years of cultivating big veggies, Gerald says he has no plans to slow down. Instead, he will go on sharing his love for seasonal yields and delight in the patience required to grow large produce. Luckily, hefting a 300-pound pumpkin isn’t a requirement in this pursuit. 

Learn more about The King of Big Veg Gerald Stratford (@stratfordgerald on Instagram) and in our GrandPeople episode!

—Kate Rarey. Video by Laura Tejero.

GrandPeople chronicles the stories of older adults living purposeful, fun and meaningful lives.